Thanksgiving, Christmas airfare hits 10-year high as travelers book earlier

### Thanksgiving and Christmas Airfares Hit 10-Year High as Travelers Book Earlier

Airfares for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday periods are climbing to their highest levels in about a decade, prompting many travelers to make reservations earlier than they did last year in an effort to avoid further price increases.

According to travel booking site Hopper, average domestic round-trip airfare for Thanksgiving is currently around $402, representing a 31% increase from last year. Average hotel rates are about $170 per night, roughly unchanged from the same period a year ago.

The increase in airfares comes as travelers face fewer low-cost options and strong demand during one of the busiest periods of the U.S. travel calendar.

“Flyers are going to not just combat higher prices this year, but also the reality of fewer affordable options,” Katy Nastro, aviation and travel correspondent at flight-tracking website Flighty, told ABC News.

Travel costs are also elevated for the days immediately following Thanksgiving. Hopper estimates that domestic round-trip flights during that period are averaging $452, up 23% from last year.

### Spirit Airlines' Absence Adds Pressure

This holiday season will also mark the first without Spirit Airlines, which ceased operations earlier this year after more than three decades as one of the major ultra-low-cost carriers serving the U.S. market.

Nastro said Spirit had helped reduce fares by roughly 15% in markets where it competed. Although the airline represented only a portion of the overall U.S. aviation market, its absence removes one source of price competition for larger airlines.

The reduced presence of budget carriers could be particularly noticeable during peak travel periods, when airlines have greater pricing power because of high demand and limited availability.

### International Holiday Fares Also Rise

Travelers planning international trips for Christmas are also seeing higher fares to several popular destinations.

Hopper estimates that airfare to Mexico and Central America is about 23% higher than last year, while fares to Europe have increased by roughly 15%.

Not every international market is experiencing the same trend. Hopper said airfare to destinations in the Middle East, Oceania and Asia is currently around last year's levels or slightly lower.

Hotel costs are moving in the opposite direction in some markets. Average Christmas hotel prices are around $197 per night, approximately 18% higher than last year, according to Hopper.

### Booking Early Could Help

Hopper has advised travelers planning Thanksgiving and Christmas trips to make their reservations before Halloween to improve their chances of finding lower fares.

However, travelers willing to take risks may find some hotel discounts closer to the holidays. Hopper said hotel prices in major cities could decline during the final 24 to 48 hours before Thanksgiving or Christmas as properties attempt to fill remaining rooms.

Flight prices generally offer less flexibility because available seats become increasingly limited as departure approaches.

Kayak has also suggested that travelers compare the cost of two separate one-way tickets with a conventional round-trip booking. Depending on the route, purchasing the outbound and return flights separately, including from different airlines, can sometimes result in a lower total price.

### Flexibility May Offer Savings

Travel experts are also encouraging passengers to remain flexible about departure dates and airports.

Major travel hubs may offer more competitive fares than smaller airports because they have more airlines and flight options. Shifting a trip by even a day can also make a significant difference during peak holiday periods.

Thanksgiving and Christmas generate some of the highest travel demand of the year, with millions of passengers traveling within a relatively short window. That concentration of demand can push fares higher, particularly for flights on the most popular departure and return dates.

For households already dealing with higher everyday expenses, the increase in travel costs could influence holiday plans. Some travelers may decide to take one major trip rather than travel for both Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Nastro told ABC News that in some cases, travelers considering an international vacation may find the price difference with domestic travel smaller than expected, particularly when comparing flexible dates and destinations.

With holiday fares already elevated, travelers are increasingly weighing timing, destination, airport choice and booking strategy as they plan their end-of-year trips.